Mont Blanc Legend vs. Explorer (2023) Full Comparison
Mont Blanc Legend vs. Explorer.
Two affordable and wearable fragrances for men.
This review will compare Mont Blanc Legend EDP and Mont Blanc Explorer. I will detail each’s smell, performance, and anything else you need to know. At the end, I will compare and contrast and let you know which one is best.
Take note that this is a comparison with Legend EDP. It is more similar to Explorer than the original EDT version.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Yet, we only endorse fragrances we’ve personally used or are highly recommended by trusted peers. You can learn more about our Disclaimer & Disclosure here.
Table of Contents
Mont Blanc Legend EDP
Violet leaf is the focus of the opening. It is paired with equal parts citric bergamot and a leathery depth. The overarching emphasis is fresh and green. After a few minutes, a more prevalent green note of oakmoss from the base comes through. It remains clean and sits in the background with leather.
Bergamot fades in the mid; I catch wafts of floral jasmine in the background. They must have always been there, giving the fragrance cleanliness. However, the intensity of the opening masked them. Violet leaf is still at the forefront with woods, moss, and leather supporting.
The dry-down is drastically simpler. A mossy violet leaf with leather sits atop a wood backbone. This is what you’ll smell for the rest of the wear.
This lasts eight to nine hours on the skin with moderate projection. In the first few hours, it pushes out an arm’s length, then recedes but never becomes a skin scent. This is all-season and occasion wear.
Mont Blanc Explorer
Upon the first spray is a blast of semi-sweet, fruity bergamot. After about 5 minutes, the scent starts to smell more like Aventus. Bergamot fades, and a heavy dose of ambroxan and woody notes peak through.
Ambroxan adds a noticeably synthetic smell, but both notes emphasize a woody accord. Explorer is a straightforward scent. Any other notes in the fragrance only amplify the fruity opening or woody dry down.
Does Mont Blanc Explorer’s scent profile smell like Creed Aventus? It has the bare bones of it. Both have a fruity opening, but Aventus is known for its juicy, tangy pineapple opening. As for the dry down, Explorer lacks the signature smoky birch. So, yes, similar scent DNA, but 9 times out 10, people can tell the difference.
This lasts seven hours on the skin, with average projection. It pushes out two to three feet for the first two hours. After this period, it becomes a skin scent. This is all-season and occasion wearable.
Final Words
Legend and Explorer have the same scent development. Fresh to woody. Legend has an additional leathery depth, while Explorer has a more ambroxan depth. This makes Explorer a slightly more compliment-able fragrance.
As for performance and versatility, these scents differences are so similar that it is negligible.
The final burning question is, is Legend or Explorer better? I prefer Legend EDP. I enjoy the more masculine and unique leathery depth, as well as it being a less commonly worn cologne. I have enough ambroxan fragrances in my collection that garner more attention.
The only advantage Explorer has is it’s slightly easier to wear. If you’re in a rush, you’ll reach for Explorer before Legend. This difference comes down to the leather note. It is not decisive in Legend but not as versatile as ambroxan.
Depending on what you want from your fragrance, you may have the opposite opinion, and that’s okay. Either way, you’re getting a quality fragrance for an affordable price.
After you try Mont Blanc Legend and/or Explorer, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Other Articles
- Lacoste White Cologne (2023) Full Review – Everything You Need to Know
- 5 Best Mont Blanc Colognes (2023) Full Review – Why You Need Them
- The Best Cheap Colognes That Save You Money – Full Review
- 3 Best Bentley Colognes (2023) Everything You Need To Know
- Mont Blanc Explorer vs. Creed Aventus (2023) Full Review